3-Yr.-Old Picture Coming Into Focus

Paynter                                                                                                      Alpha

After the running of the Curlin Stakes, Jim Dandy(G2) and Haskell(G1) this weekend, the three-year-old picture is starting to clear up. With this division lacking a true front runner, these races provided an opportunity for someone to step up to the challenge.

Alpha, returning to the track for the first time since the Derby, took the Jim Dandy impressively, going wire to wire in the slop and winning by 2 lengths. With no other big name three-year-olds in this one it was Alpha's race to lose as the others in this field were just not in the same class.

It was Paynter who showed his second place finish at the Belmont was no fluke as he pulled away from the field in the Haskell to win by 3 3/4 lengths. Gemologist and Dullahan both were in position to challenge, but looked like they hit a brick wall and were no where to be found at the end, finishing 5th and 6th.

Street Life, the son of Street Sense also keeps his name in the mix after taking the Curlin Stakes Friday at Saratoga. He will be running up against more superior competition though, next time out.

Now the focus shifts to the Travers at the end of August to determine who is the best of this class before they graduate on to facing the older competition. Look for the Paynter and Alpha duel to play out in the media leading up to the race as these two will be the favorites heading into the "Midsummer Classic".

*Pegged Street Life in the Curlin and Alpha in the Jim Dandy. Didn't fare so well in the Haskell as Paynter got the win, while Gemologist and Dullahan didn't show up. 

Summer Races

                                   Saratoga                                                                                  Del Mar

With record breaking temperatures already being felt across the nation, summer certainly is here. Which means it's time for some summer racing. This past weekend kicked off both Saratoga's and Del Mar's racing seasons, where we got to see some early action by the two-year-olds. The big race of the weekend for the youngsters was the 6f Sanford Stakes(G2) at Saratoga. Bern Identity came away with the graded stakes victory but the horse to watch from this one might be Onetwentyeight who was coming on at the end to get the show.

Now we all know it is way too early to be making any type of realistic Derby predictions but these are the races where many Derby hopefuls get their start. The likes of Secretariat, Affirmed, Afleet Alex and Scat Daddy all have a Sanford Stakes win on their resume. These two-year-olds will be fun to watch this summer as they grow and prepare for the new "Road to the Kentucky Derby" point system instead of the traditional graded stakes earnings system. This new system doesn't actually go into effect until the fall so some of these young guys can get a race or two under them this summer before the competition really begins. The next race to keep an eye out for is the 6 1/2 f Saratoga Special(G2) in a few weeks, where another group of two-year-olds look to show what they have. 

It was disappointing to say the least hearing the news about I'll Have Another, the day before his Triple Crown bid. The latest victim, Union Rags who was reported to have a tendon issue a couple of weeks ago, was officially retired this past weekend. On top of all this, Bodemeister came down with a fever and has been put on DL for the time being. With the top three-year-olds out, this coming weekend should be wide open for the 1 1/8 mile Jim Dandy(G2) at Saratoga and the Haskel Invitational(G1) at Monmouth Park. It will be interesting to see the draw as the fields will not be set until later in the week. 

Summer Classics (Con't)

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The middle of summer is upon us and the three-year-old races are heating up once again. The two stakes races this weekend are going to give us a clearer picture of who belongs in next month's Midsummer Classic as well as the Breeders Cup Classic.

Jim Dandy (G2)


Exotics:

Alternation: Did not run in any of the triple crown races. Showed promise by coming from behind and taking the G2 Peter Pan after running a disappointing 5th in the Arkansas Derby. Look for him to step into the spotlight, finish in the money and upset the ML favorite, Stay Thirsty.

Brilliant Speed: Has finished in the money 5 out of his 6 starts. The only race that eluded him was the Kentucky Derby. Likes to come from behind as well and should add another finish in the money to his resume this coming Saturday.

Haskell (G1)


Exotics:

Shackelford: With a see-saw year for the three-year-olds, it's his turn to be the front runner of the group again. The Kentucky Derby and Belmont proved to be too much for this gritty horse, but the mile and an eight distance seems to be right in his wheelhouse. With a spot in the Breeders Cup Classic on the line, look for Shackelford to capitalize on the opportunity this coming Sunday.

Pants On Fire: Another horse that has talent who skipped the final two legs of the triple crown races after finishing a disappointing 9th in the Kentucky Derby. Already has proven he can run with the best by beating the runner-up in the Derby, Nehro back in March at the Louisiana Derby. Look for him to step back into the spotlight Sunday and don't be surprised if he comes away punching a ticket to the Breeders Cup Classic in November.

Summer Classics

                                                                          heatwave.jpg

It has now been over a month since the shocking results at Belmont Park. The heat wave is sweeping across the east coast and summer is in full force. Not only have some two-year-olds already begun their quest on the long, unprecedented Derby trail, but the three-year-olds are ready to take to the track again. Unfortunately, the latest news from the track is that long shot Derby winner, Animal Kingdom has been ruled out for the year due to his disastrous start at last month's Belmont. So, if the race for three-year-old of the year was not wide open before I don't know what you want to call it now.

This coming weekend brings two anticipated stakes races to set us up for the Midsummer Classic or as most know as the Travers Stakes at the end of August. Saratoga will host the G2 Jim Dandy Stakes on Saturday followed by the G1 Haskell at Monmouth Park on Sunday.

This year it seams like each horse that is ready to step into the gate and take the reins of the rest of the field, something goes wrong. Will Ruler On Ice prove that he was no fluke on the muddy track at Belmont, is Alternation ready to step up in class and contend with the best of the best, or will one of the early contenders be able to come back and reclaim this unpredictable class of three-year-olds? It is anyone's guess as of what will happen between now and that cool night in November under the lights.

*Check back mid-week and I will have my picks for the two stakes races this weekend.